My Personal Stalker

Chapter 17: Friend or Foe

Right when I wanted to leave the bathroom again, the door flung wide open. I backed up into my previous stall and listened silently.

"Have you heard about Mrs. Gregory and François? Honestly, it's a bummer. François seems like a really sweet guy except for his choice in women, of course... Mrs. Gregory and Chloe. He should have better taste than that." I pulled my legs up from the ground, not wanting them to notice me.

"True... But you know what? I heard Mrs. Gregory and Chloe shouting at each other earlier today. Do you think they were fighting over him?" I tried really hard not to let a cough escape my mouth.

"It's possible. A bitch like her surely can't admit a defeat when it comes to boys. First, she breaks up with Mark, then she fucks François and now poor Joe is caught in her net. She just doesn't know when to stop." That was enough! I stormed out of the stall giving them an evil glare before running out of the bathroom.

I twirled around not knowing where to go. I couldn't show up to class now but I couldn't be seen anywhere else either. So I walked out of school towards a small hidden bench.

-

The cold winter breeze sent shivers down my spine. I pulled my legs towards my upper body in order to stay warm.

After a few minutes of silence and letting my thoughts spin around in my head, I felt something warm being wrapped around me. "I hate to say it but you look miserable." Joe sat down beside me, his jacket still wrapped around my shoulders.

"I'm fine, really. How'd you find me?" I turned my face towards him, only to find him already looking at me.

"You didn't show up to class. So I was kinda worried and I started looking for you..." He smiled gently.

"You... you didn't have to." For the first time since I had known Joe, I felt kind of uncomfortable. Maybe these girls from before weren't completely wrong. Joe has been following me and helping me ever since the fight with Mrs. Gregory. I couldn't stop myself from thinking that maybe he wanted more than just a friendship.

So I had to be honest with him. I really owed him that much. "Joe, I can't..."

"What is it?" His face showed nothing but pure worry.

"This..." I pointed back and forth between us. "I just need a good friend right now, nothing more and nothing less. After everything I can't let myself fall for someone new, at least for the moment."

Out of nowhere, Joe's mouth formed into a smile. Why the hell was he smiling? "Oh, you thought..." He chuckled. "I'm not looking for a relationship either. To be honest, I have just gotten over someone... and I just wanted to be nice."

"You don't know how relieved I am right now." I let out a deep breath. "And I'm sorry. I didn't mean to assume anything."

"You really don't have to apologize, Chloe. Honestly, I'm glad we made that clear." Joe put his arm around me and pulled me closer.

I let my head fall onto his shoulder. "Me too."

Silence fell upon us but it wasn't the kind of awkward silence, you always try to avoid. Actually, I felt even more comfortable now that I knew Joe wanted me as a friend as much as I wanted him as one. If only he hadn't started speaking... "Chloe, I think it's time."

"For what?" I lifted my head up from his shoulder and looked him in the eyes.

"Do you trust me?" Joe bit his lip nervously.

"Yes, of course. Why are you asking?

"And do you trust him?"

"Who? Joe, just tell me what's going on." I held his stare as he seemed to be debating what to tell me.

"The one who sent you those texts..."

I jumped to my feet. "You knew?! All this time, you knew about the messages I got and who sent them? And you didn't even consider telling me???" It was hard to even look him in the eye anymore. His betrayal cut too deeply. I had trusted him...

"Chloe, please. I couldn't tell you before or you would have shut me out completely. There is just one more thing you have to do and Mrs. Gregory will never bother you again. I'm not asking you to do this for me or him but for yourself. I know how much you've gone through because of her... Now is the time to get back at her." He was practically begging me, his face showing nothing but sincerity.

I was torn between just running away, punching him for keeping such a big secret from me and... "What do I have to do?"

His whole body seemed to relax immediately. "You have to go to the principal and tell him that you heard screaming from Mrs. Gregory's classroom. That's all."

I nodded carefully even though I didn't know why I should trust Joe, somehow, I just did. He gave me a supportive smile, or at least tried to, before I went back to the school's entrance.

"I can do this!" I kept repeating those words in my head shutting every other thought out. This was more important than what I felt in that moment. With every step I pushed the betrayal, the anger, the sadness deeper down.

—

Author's Note:
Hey loves, sorry for the big cliffhanger but I promise I will post the next part soon. So stay tuned.

What do you guys think about the stuff Chloe heard while hiding in the bathroom?
Was Joe being honest with her about his true feelings?
Did you expect him to know about the stalker's identity?
And will Mrs. Gregory pay for what she has done?

If you like this story so far please vote, comment, add it to a reading list or share it with your friends. It would mean a lot to me ♥️